Theobroma Bicolor, a close relative of Theobroma Cacao (the chocolate tree), produces a seed similar to cacao that can be mixed with cacao, eaten plain, fried, put into soups, the pulp around the seeds eaten raw, and the pods hollowed out and used as containers.

Steps

Method1

Growing Theobroma Bicolor

1

Select your seeds. Do some research about the numerous different types of Theobroma Bicolor to pick the best one for your environment. Take into account temperature fluctuations, soil quality and density, rainfall, wind protection, and altitude. If you purchase a pod, remove a seed from the pod to plant - do not plant the entire pod. Leave as much of the pulp on the seed as you can as that is food for the seed.

2

Plant the seed. Farmers of Theobroma Bicolor vary slightly in how they start their trees. Some make slight indentations into the soil and cover the seed in soil, while some bury their seeds up to 10 centimetres (4 inches) into the ground. The seed should be placed in an area that satisfies all of its needs (see Step 4, Part 2). Remember that Theobroma Bicolor is very easily diseased and most farmers lose between 30-100% of their yearly crop due to disease. In other words, having multiple trees isolated from each other is best to minimize risk.

3

Care for it during the sapling phase. The first year of the tree's life is the hardest to get through. There is little that you can do as these trees typically suffice off of their environment alone. All you can do is keep other vegetation at least 1 metre (40 inches) away from the tree.

4

Remove buds during first 5 years. For the first 5 years, floral buds are removed so that the tree focuses on growth not seed production to maximise output. Remember to maintain a 1 metre (40 inch) buffer zone between the furthest extent of the tree and other vegetation and to add shade if shading-plants die.

5

Let the buds grow after 5 years. After the first 5 years, do not alter the buds and allow them to grow. Around 6 months after the buds' appearance, the fruit will fall to the ground when ripe. Collecting fallen pods is the most efficient way to harvest the fruit.

6

Contain any diseases. Theobroma Bicolor is extremely susceptible to diseases. A diseased tree must be isolated immediately to limit or, ideally, prevent the spread of the disease further. Resourceful farmers typically isolate the tree and all immediately surrounding trees and a second barrier of two-trees around the original barrier. This barrier is often 2-3 metres (79-118 inches) taller than the tallest tree and is made of a plastic tarp. If, at any time, tree-zero (first infected tree) dies, most farmers burn all of the trees in the primary isolation. After the fire has died in primary isolation, all of the trees in secondary isolation are burned. This is extreme but, due to the susceptibility of Theobroma Bicolor to disease, it is needed.

Method2

Identifying Theobroma Bicolor

1

Know the geographic regions where it grows. Theobroma Bicolor is native to lowland rainforests in the Orinoco and Amazon rainforests, primarily in Brazil. The plant is now cultivated in in the American tropics, tropical Asia, and Western Africa. If you spot a plant not in these regions, it is likely not Theobroma Bicolor.

2

Consider its appearance. Theobroma Bicolor grows on what's known as the forest understory, or the the layer between the top and bottom layers of a forest. The height ranges from 6 - 12 metres (20 - 40 feet) but is normally at the lower end of the spectrum. Its leaves are long, ovular, and leathery and can be up to 30 centimetres (1 foot) long. The leaves are a vivid red when they first grow. The flowers are either odourless or lightly foul-smelling. They grow in clusters directly from the trunk and are about 1 centimetre (0.4 inches) tall and wide. Theobroma Bicolor flowers are white, rosy, pink, yellow, or bright red.

3

Look at the fruit. The pods (which contain the seeds) can grow up to 35 centimetres (14 inches) with rare cases growing up to 40 centimetres (16 inches) and take less than six months to ripen. A ripe pod has numerous ridges running up and down the pod. Depending on the variety, the pod is can be pale orange, dirty orange, green, or a dark purple-green. On the inside, each pod holds between 20 to 60 seeds (also called beans). Each seed is about 2.5 centimetres (1 inch) long and is covered in a sticky, sweet, white pulp.

4

Consider the climate. Theobroma Bicolor lives between 30 and 300 metres (100 to 1 000 feet) above sea-level. The temperature must rarely fall below 20 degrees Centigrade (68 degrees Fahrenheit) or go above 28 degrees Centigrade (82 degrees Fahrenheit). The tree must be protected from wind as the root system is very shallow. Rainfall needs varies greatly depending on the variety, altitude, soil-water retention, but the minimum is 100 centimetres (39 inches) with 150-200 centimetres (59-79 inches) of rain spread throughout the year being optimal. The soil must have good drainage as the surface bark can easily rot and be rich in humus. As Theobroma Bicolor grows in the understory, the plant should be kept in good shade.

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